Tibetan Headlines
Sep 11: More Life Sentences
News has just emerged of two Tibetan tour guides sentenced to life imprisonment in 2010. Tsering Samdup, in his mid 20s from Shigatse was sentenced when an American climber from his group hoisted a Tibetan national flag at Mt Everest base camp and took pictures of it. Another unidentified Tibetan guide was sentenced to life for infringing the official descriptions of the Dalai Lama to foreign tourists visiting the Potala Palace.
Sep 10: Attempted Suicide
Dolma Yankyi, a woman in Tibet’s Nagchu County, has tried to kill herself following “harassment” by Chinese authorities during a brawl with security personnel stationed at the Shag Rongpo Ganden Dhargyeling monastery which was closed in July. Her husband had been arrested among 50 other protesters. Dolma deliberately crashed her motorcycle and is currently under guard in hospital, no visitors are allowed to see her.
Sep 9: Best Wishes
His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote a letter of congratulations to Australian Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbot. In the letter His Holiness also said that he was encouraged by the enthusiasm of the Australian people he met towards his efforts to promote human values and inter-religious harmony.
Sep 9: Latvia Greets Dalai Lama
Tibetans, Latvians and foreign tourists welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his arrival in Latvia’s capital Riga to speak on non-violence, compassion and dialogue. His Holiness gave a public talk on “The Culture of Compassion” at Riga Arena. The Latvia visit is part of a 12-day tour of Europe that will also take him to Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Sep 6: Sino-Tibetan Dialogue
Six new members, including the former Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, have been added to the Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations during its 26th meeting from 5-7 September in Dharamsala. Former Special Envoys Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen were among other members who attended the meeting to reflect on and to review the prospects of dialogue process.
Sep 5: Firm Stand
“I am not seeking independence. The world knows that,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a question and answer session after the teaching that was concluded today. His Holiness added, "Chinese communist leaders call me demon but I don't react because I don't care about what they call me. Reacting to that will create more conflicts. So I ignore".
Sep 5: Photo Exhibition
The Tibet Museum under the Central Tibetan Administration has launched a month-long photo exhibition titled “Tibet’s Journey in Exile” after its inauguration on the 53rd Tibetan Democracy Day in Dharamsala. The exhibition showcases the historic devolution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s political authority to democratically-elected Tibetan leadership, said Tashi Phuntsok, the head of Tibet Museum.
Sep 4: UK’s Appeal
William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary appealed to the Chinese government to commute Dolma Kyab’s death sentence and give a reprieve while calling on all parties to use their influence to bring “an end” to the self-immolation protests in Tibet. Dolma Kyab was accused for killing his wife, Kunchok Wangmo, who died after setting herself on fire in protest in March this year.
Sep 2: Protesters Threatened
Chinese authorities in Zatoe County in Qinghai province have threatened “serious actions” if protesters resume their demonstrations against mining activities in the area. Around 500 Chinese miners arrived there in May, prompting a protest by over 4000 Tibetans which resulted in clashes, injuries and arrests. Mining was resumed and protest leaders subjected to “political education” classes. One person, Ketsa Sonam, is still missing.
Sep 1: Arrest in Nepal
Ayi la, a former member of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress in Kathmandu has been arrested by Nepalese police, who are apparently searching for more TYC members. The police claim that they have had a tip-off about a protest and a planned self-immolation for Tibetan Democracy Day on September 2. It is believed that the police intend to release Ayi la after September 2.
Aug 31: Arrested, Beaten up
Several Tibetans have been injured and some hospitalised in a “brawl” with security personnel who had been deployed in Nagchu County, where the recently closed Gaden Dhargyeling monastery is based in Shak Rongpo. The situation there has been “tense” with large numbers of security personnel deployed in the area, and arrests taking place. All movements in and out of the area are being monitored, and communications intercepted.
Aug 29: Singer Jailed
Shawo Tashi, a 40-year-old Tibetan singer, has been sentenced to five years’ term in a secret trial. He was accused of publicising self-immolation protest and for political songs. “Shawo’s family members knew nothing about his whereabouts until they learned about the sentence,” a source said. His actual charges and trial date are unknown but he is said to be held in Xining in Qinghai province.
Aug 29: Peaceful Tibet
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay concluded a week-long visit to the US. He met the Tibetan Associations and general public in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and Utah. During a talk on “Tibet issue and current status” at the SJ Quinney Law School in Utah, Sikyong said, “Support for Tibet is support for peace, support for nonviolence and support for democracy’’.
Aug 28: In Czech
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will join world leaders, including fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, at “Societies in Transition”, a Human Rights Forum in Czech Republic from 15-17 September. Over 100 global leaders will discuss challenges and threats related to democratic transitions. The Dalai Lama will also give a public talk and teaching on 14 and 15 September in Prague.
Aug 28: Nun Released
Shedup Lhamo, a Tibetan nun, has been released by Chinese authorities in Tibet’s Kardze County in “poor health” after serving one year imprisonment. She is reportedly in “poor health” due to severe torture in prison. She was severely beaten and arrested in August last year for carrying out a lone protest calling for Tibet’s freedom, long life and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.